Improvement in processes of making strings from intestines



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER TURNER AND JAMES TURNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES OF MAKING STRlNGS FROM lNTESTlNES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222L199, dated November 4, 1879; application filed October 1 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, PETER TURNER and J AMES TURNER, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Strings, Round Bands, and Belts, the method and process employed being fully set forth in the following specification.

Our invention consists in a process whereby the intestines of beef-cattle may be utilized in the manufacture of strings for musical instruments, bands, belts, 8w.

. Previous to our invention the intestines of sheep had long been used for making the article popularly known as cat-gut but only the intestines of sheep were considered fit for this purpose, and thus the manufacture has hitherto been practically limited to the locality where such sheep are raised; The inner membrane only of the intestines of sheep is used, as the other portions are unfit for the purpose. We have, however, discovered that first-class strings, belts, 850., may be made from the outer skin of the intestines of beefcattle by selecting the proper parts and treat= ing them in a particular manner, by which means a superior article is produced from material that has hitherto been only refuse.

In the preparation and manufacture of strings, cords, 850., fresh beef-gut-is first taken and carefully washed in pure water, and thoroughly freed from all fatty substance. The gut is then split into two distinct parts in such a manner as to separate the upper half of the gut from the lower half, the lower half-that is, the part to which-the net or web of fat is attachedbeing refused as worthless. The part of the gut retained is next (according to the fineness of the strands desired) split into two, three, four, or more strands. The outside skin is then removed from these strands. This outside skinis the material employed by us in carrying out ourimprovement, all the other portions of the gut being thrown away as refuse matter, for the reason that the substance" weeks and months by the application of common salt. 7

The material is next threaded, and afterward subjected to abath of potash-water, this bath being continued and changed daily for four or five days. The material is next treated to acid baths, alternating with alkaline (carbonate of am monia) baths, and then pure water. A certain number (according to the thickness of the strings or bands desired) of these fine strands are then taken and spun. The material is next placed in an air-tight compartment and subjected to the action of sulphur-fumes.

The compartment in which sulphuration takes place should either be made of iron or the inner surface lined with that material. Then the sulphur fumes or vapors, combining with oxygen and the iron, produce a gas possessin g superior bleaching qualities, and quick ens the bleaching process.

After being removed from the bleaching process the material is first dried, and then steepedin a solution of acetic acid and gelatinc, then again sulphurized. dried, and finished off with gum-arabic and oil.

The material possesses certain proportions of gclatine in its natural state, but loses it during the process of preparation, and it is therefore found to be an improvement to restore a certain proportion of this during the finishing process in order to stiffen the material and increase the adhesive qualities.

The employment of acetic acid in preparing the solution of gelatine has the effect of producing a clearer solution than if hot water were used, and prevents the solution from affecting the transparency of the manufactured good-s.

Having thus described our improvement, we claim- The process herein described of manufacturing strings from the intestines of beef-eat tle, viz by cutting off thepart to which the fat is attached, splitting the remainder into strands then removing the inner or mucous membrane, treating the remainder alternately with alkaline and acid baths and then with water, spinning or twisting the strands into the desired form, bleaching with the fumes of burning sulphur, steepin gin asolulion 0f gelal tine in acetic acid, again submitting to the fumes of sulphur, and, finally, finishing with gum-arabie and oil substantially as described.

PETER TURNER. JAMES TURNER.

Witnesses FRED. J. SGIIROTER, MICHAEL HALEY. 

